Hot-water heater.



3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED FEB. 1'2, 190.7.

, Il fIl R. H. BRADLEY. HOT WATER HEATER. APPLIOATION FILED D'so.z9,19o5.

l fi/Zz. 4 n., ...al

PATENTBD FEB. l2, 1907.

'E.,H. BRADLEY. EoT WATEE HEATER. APPLICATION FILED DEO. 29

No. 843,793. PATENTED PEB. 12, .1907. l

lmRAnLBY.

HOT WATER HEATER.

urmouron FILED DBO. sa. 190s.

/ l al d .a f

. l, a,l irl-l HHHHHHHHHHHHH 'xlumndlhm'g TH: NoRRls-Pzrlns C0.. WAsmNcroN. wc.

a sums-sanar s.

NETE@ STATES rarnnr ernien ROYAL H.. BRADLEY, OF SYRAOUSE, NEX/V YORK, ASSIGNOR TO KELSEY HEi-XTING COMPANY, OF SYRAOUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEYV YORK.

HOT-WATER HEATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

To all whom, it' may concern:

Be it known that I, ROYAL H. BRADLEY, of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful improvements in Hot-VVater Heaters, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, ana exact uescription.

This invention relates to certain improvements in hot-water heaters, and refers more particularly to the construction of the upper section or dome, which is located above the combustion-chamber and is adapted. to be useii in connection with hot-air furnaces or with a suitable water-base surrounding the combustion-chamber.

The essential purpose olf my invention is to provide an upwardly-tapering hollow casting or shell with comparatively shallow upright and ra :lial waterways having horizontal partitions or bathe-plates so arranged as to cause the water to travel trom the inlet at the base circumferentally and radially in tortuous paths to and from the center anu to nally discharge and` vflow upwardly Jfrom a central opening in the top of the water-circulating drum. In other words, l have sought to produce a water-circulating drum comprising a central tube and a concentric shell oi'` considerably greater diameter connected to the center tube by radial water-passages spaced apart to form vertical fire-passages between the central tube and concentric ring and to corrugate the siles of the larger concentric shell and raiial passages, so as to atlord as large heating area as possible exposed to the proiucts of combustion.

Another object is to make the water-circulating drum of less exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the shell which incloses it, so as to envelop practically the entire water-circulating shell within the products of combustion as they leave the combustion-chamber before escaping through the smoke-liuc.

A still further obj ect is to provide a spiral baille-plate between the water-circulating shell and its inclosing jacket, so that the rear portion ot' the battle-plate is elevatel some distance above the smokeoutlet,while the ends or sides o'l' such battle-plate dip downwar i ly an rl torwar ly towarfl the front, thereby causing the products ot combustion which culating shell to pass downwardly and forwardly around the iront ends of the bailleplate before they can escape through the` smoke-outlet and causing the proeucts of combustion to travel around the outside ot the water-circulating shell from top to bottom.

Another object is to make the rear portion ci the battle-plate separate and movable to form a damper at the rear of the water-circulating shell above the smoke-outlet, so that by opening the damper a direct draft or es- 1cape ot the products of combustion may be rad.

It is obvious trom the Jforegoing statements that the main object is to expedite the heating ot the water passing through the circulating-shell, or rather to obtain a maximum absorption of the heat by the water within a minimum period of time.

Other objects and uses relating to the specific structure of the water-circulating shell will be brought out in the following eescription.

In the drawings, Figure l is a transverse vertical sectional view from iront to rear through a hot-water heater embodying the various features of my invention.V Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are sectional views taken, respectively, on lines 2 2, 3 8, 4 4, and 5 5, Fig. 1.

ig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view from front to rear of a hot-air furnace and my improved water-circulating shell mounted therein.

The hot-water heater shown in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, consists, essentially, of a central water-tube 1 and a concentric but upwardlytapering water-circulating ring 2 ot somewhat greater interior diameter than the outer diameter of the tube l, but connected thereto by radial water-legs 3. The radial waterlegs 8 are hollow and are preferably integral with and connect the interior of the hollow water-ring 2 with the interior of the central tube l, forming comparatively shallow waterways and intervening vertical lire-passages 16, extending from the bottom to the top ot and between the central water-tube l and water-ring 2. The interiors oi the ring 2 and water-legs 3 are divided at intervals throughout their heights by horizontal partitions 4, 5, 6, and 7, the partitions 5 and 7 being also extended across the interior of the tubular escape through the iire-ilues in the water-cirl water-leg l, thereby dividing said interiors ICO the water-ring 2; but their inner sides are into a series of compartments, one above the l other. The lower compartment, as 4', of the water-ring 2 has an inlet-opening 8 in or near itsl bottom, which may for the present be termedthe return-flow opening, said compartment being divided vertically at the side diametrically opposite the inlet 8 by a vertical partition 9, extending from the horizontal partition 4 to the bottom of the compartment 4', thereby breaking the continuity of the water passage in said compartment around the ring.

In the water-dome seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 and particularly in Fig. 3 I have shown a plurality of inlet-openings 8 as located between two of the radial waterdegs 3, which latter communicate at their outer sides with closed by the central water-leg 1 between the partition 4, while the remaining radial wateregs communicate directly with the central water-tube 1 and water-ring 2 at opposite sides of the vertical partition 9. It therefore follows that the water flowing into the inlet 8 will have to pass in opposite directions around the ring to the opposite side thereof before it can enter the central water-leg 1 through the adjacent radial water-legs 3, but at the same time is free to iiow into all of the water-legs from the ring until the compartment 4 is filled, whereupon the continued inflow of water rises in the base of the central tube 1 above the partition 4 and escapes to the next superimposed compartment, as 5', through the radial water-legs 3, which connect the central water-leg with the water-ring 2. rIhe portions of the next upper compartment 5 within the water-ring 2 are cut away, forming openings 10, thereby establishing communication between the compartment 5 and the next one above it, as 6', to allow the accumulated water to flow' upwardly within the ring 2 through the openings 10 and into the compartments 6', from which it passes through the radial water-legs 3 intov the central water-tube 1 above the partition 5 within said central water-leg, in which the water rises above the partition 6 and flows laterally again through the radial water-legs 3 and into the next compartment, as 7', and so on to the top. The next upper partition 7 also has portions thereof within the waterring 2 cut away, forming openings 10, similar to those in the partition 5, to allow the water to pass upwardly within the water-ring above the partition 7, from which it returns through the radial water-legs 3 to the central tube 1 above the partition 7 therein and then passes upwardly and outwardly through an upflow-pipe 11, leading from the upperend of the tubular water-leg 1.

It will now be seen that the partitions 4 and 6 are continuous in the water-ring and radial water-legs, but are cut away in the inl terior of the tube 1, while the partitions 5 l and 7 are continuous in the central tube and radial water-legs, but have portions thereof cut away in the water-ring 2, so as to cause the inflowing water to pass radially in tortuous paths from the inlet 8 to the outlet 11, therebyiilling the compartments 4', 5', 6', and

7' successively. As previously explained,4

these water-passages are comparatively shallow transversely, and the sides thereof are preferably corrugated, so as to increase the heating area exposed, to the products of combustion, which pass upwardly through the flues 16 and also around the outside of the ring 2, thereby practically enveloping the entire waterdome, including the central tube 1, water-ring 2, and radial water-legs 3.

The zigzag radial passage of the water back and forth from the ring to the central tube, and vice versa, through the radial waterlegs 3, together with the envelopment of the comparatively shallow central water-tube 1, ring 2, and radial water-legs 3 within the products of. combustion, produces a rapid circulation of the water with a minimum consumption cf fuel and enables me to drivthe hot water a greater distance from the heater than would be possible with a larger body of water concentrated in one chamber.

The central water-tube 1, ring 2, and radial water-legs 3 constitute what may be termed a water-dome, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is mounted upon and has its inlet 8 connected to a water-base 12, forming a combustionphamber 13, the latter having a suitable fuel-opening 14 and a grate-bottom 15, directly above a suitable ash-pit 17. The water-base 12 may be of any desired construction, having a return-flow pipe 13 at or near its lower end. A jacket 19 is also mounted upon the upper end of the waterbase 12 and surrounds the water-ring 2, a sufficient space being left between the waterring and jacket 19 to permit the products of combustion to pass downwardly around the base of the water ring. This jacket is provided with a smoke-outlet 2O in its rear side between the lower and upper ends of the water-ring 2 and preferably some distance below the top of the water-ring, so as to cause the products of combustion which pass upwardly through the combustionchamber 13 through the iire-flues 16 to return downwardly some distance around the outside of the water-ring before escaping through the smoke-outlet 20.

The heater thus far described is adapted to be used exclusively as a hot-'water heater, and in order that I may obtain the greatest efficiency from a minimum consumption of fuel I have provided a spiral baffle-plate 21, which is located between the water-ring 2 and jacket 19, the rear portion of the baffleplate being elevated some distance above the smoke-outlet 20 and comprises a movable section or damper 22 as best seen in Figs. 1

some distance below the damper 22, so that when the damper is closed, as seen in 1, the products of combustion passing upwardly through the flues 16 are caused to pass forwardly ant downwardly around the greater portion of the water-ring 2, where tney escape between the ends of the opposite sides of the b alile-platc and then return rearwardly to the smoke-outlet 20.

Then a direct draft is desired, the damper 22 may be opened, whereupon the products of combustion will pass rearwardly from the upper ends of the flues 16 downwarnly at the rear side of the water-ring 2 and outwardly through the smoke-conduit 20.

It will be observed that the upper end of the water-ring 2 is of sonewhat less diameter than its lower end, and therefore overhangs the combustion-chamber to a certain extent, thus causing the products of combustion to iinpinge against its inner face to a greater degree than if the sides were vertical, thereby further increasing the heating cthciency of the expended fuel.

In 6 I have shown a hot-air furnace having lower and upper decks a and a', formed with vertically-alined openings b and b', which are connected by upright air-flues e latter being arranged in a circular' row forming cofnbustion-cnamber D. The upper portions of the hot-air flues c incline inwardly over the combustion-Chamber, and in the upper part of the combustion-chamber is placed a water-dome similar to that seen in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprising a central tube 1, a water-ring 2, and radial water-legs 3, connecting the central tube 1 to the ring 3, but spaced apart for forming intervening Vfire-'lines 16. This water-dome is provided with a series of, in this instance three, coinpartments 4', 5', and 6', which are separated by horizontal partitions 4 and 5, corresponding to the partitions 4 and 5 and compartments L1', 5', and 6'. (Seen in Fig. 1.)

When used in connection with a furnace, as shown in Fig. 6, the lower compartment is provided with a lateral return-flow conduit 8' in one side of the base of the ring 2, and the upper end of the central water-tube 1 terminates in an upilow-pipe 1 1'. In this instance the lwater-dome is supported in the upper end of the combustion-chamber D mostly above the fuel-inlet, as d, and is of somewhat less diameter than the inner diameter of the upper end of the combustion-chamber, leaving sufficient surrounding space for the products of combustion not only within the waterring 2, but also at the outside of it, so that the whole dome is practically enveloped in the products of combustion, the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

1n the operation of my invention the waterdome, which comprises the center tube 1, water-ring 2, and radial water-legs 3, is supported in the upper end of the combustion-chamber, the water-ring having an inlet in its base and the central water-tube an outlet in its top, while the intervening portions of the whole device is provided with horizontal partitions dividing` the interior water-sp ace into a series of compartments located one above the other, the alternating partitions having openings within the water-ring and the other partitions having openings in the central water-tube, whereby the water is caused to travel in tortuous paths radially from the ring to the center tube, and vice versa.

Vhat 1 claim- 1. In a hot-water heater` the combination with a combustion-chamber, of awater-dome above the combustion-chamber and comprising a central water-tube, a water-ring surrounding the tube, radial water-legs extending from top to bottom of the ring and connecting the tube with the ring, said legs being spaced apart forming intervening iire-p assages extending from the bottom to the top of the dome.

2. In a hot-water heater, the combination with a combustion-chamber, of a hollow dome comprising a central water-tube, a water-ring surrounding the tube and spaced apart therefrom and radial water-legs connecting the tube with the ring and a series of horizontal partitions dividing the interior of the tube, ring and radial legs into horizontal compartments, the lower compartment having an inlet opening into the ring andl the upper compartment having an outlet opening from the upper end of the central tube.

3. In a hot-water heater, the combination with a combustion-chamber, of a water-dome comprising a central water-tube, a concentric water-ring surrounding said tube and spaced apart therefrom, and radial 'waterlegs connecting the ring and tube and spaced apart forming` intervening fire-passages between the tube and ring, the upper end of the ring being of less interior diameter than the lower end, the ring having an inlet in its base, and the central tube having an outlet in its top, said water-legs being divided into compartments one above the other, each compartment communicating with the waterring.

4L. In combination with a combustionchamber, a water-dome comprising a central tube, a water-ring surrounding the tube and communicating therewith, but spaced apart therefrom forming upright fire-fines between the tube and ring and converging toward IOO their upper ends, the ring having an inlet in each compartment communicating through its base and the tube having an outlet in its top, said ring and tube heilig provided with horizontal partitions dividing their interiors into compartments, one above the other.

5. In a hot-water heater, the combination with a combustion-Chamber, of a waterdome eomprising a central water-tube, a water-ring surrounding the tube and spaoed apart therefrom, radial water-legs connecting the tube 'with the ring and spaced apart forming intervening lire-passages, a jacket surrounding the dome and provided with a smoke-outlet below the upper ends ot the nre-passages, and a baille-plate between the dome and jacket having a portion thereof movable and located above the smoke-outlet, the opposite sides of said baille-plate extending forwardlT and downwardly from opposite ends of the damper-section and terminating some distance apart at the front of the dome.

6. In a hot-water heater, a hollow dome comprising a water-ring forming corrugated sides in combination with a central watertube and radial water-legs connecting the tube wi th the ring.

7. In a hot-water heater, a hollow dome comprising an up'wardlytapering waterring having corrugated sides, a central right water-tube and radial water-legs oonnecting the tube with the ring.

8. In a hot-water heater, a dome comprising a hollow 'water-ring of less diameter at the top than at the base, a oentral watertube and radial water-legs connecting the tube with sides, said radial water-legs being spaoed apartforming intervening vertieal lire-passages.

9. In a hot-water heater, a dome comprising a hollow `water-ring having an inlet in its base, a central tube and radial water-legs connecting the tube witn the ring, said tube having an outlet in its top and divided into a series of compartiments,` one above the other,

the ring and havin@ corrugated C C C l l l l l i the water-legs with the ring.

10. In a hot-water heater, a dome oomprising a hollow water-ring tapering upwardly from its base and having an inlet near the bottom, a cent-ral 'water-tube and radial water-legs oenneoting the tube with the ring, said tube having an outlet in its top, the ring and tube being spaced apart forming intervening lire-passages between the radial water-legs.

1l. In a hot-'water heater, a dome comprising an upwardly-tapering hollow waterring having corrugated sides and an inlet in its base, the central water-tube having an outlet in its top, and corrugated radial water-legs connecting the tube and ring, and spaoed apart forming intervening 'fire-passages.

l2. In a hot-water heater, a dome comprising a forwardly-tapering hollow waterring having an opening in its base, a central water-tube having an outlet in its top, radial water-legs connecting the top and ring and spaoed apart forming intervening lire-passages and horizontal projections in the water-chambers of the ring, water-legs and tube dividing the water-space into a series of compartments one above the other.

13. In a hot-'water heater, a dome comprising an upwardly-tapering vwater-ring having corrugated sides and an inlet in its base, a central water-tube having an outlet in its top and corrugated radial water-legs connecting the tube with the ring and spaced apart forming intervening lire-passages between the tube and ring, and water-legs having a series of horizontal partitions dividing the 'water-space into compartments one above the other.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set muv hand this 21st day of December, 1905.

ROYAL H. BRADLEY.

Iitnesses H. E. CHASE, B. E. ROBINSON. 

